1 00:00:20,156 --> 00:00:23,236 Speaker 1: Hi friend, I'm so glad you're here today. Let's learn 2 00:00:23,276 --> 00:00:26,916 Speaker 1: how to raise our kids to love God, respect authority, 3 00:00:27,196 --> 00:00:31,036 Speaker 1: and do what's right. Let's scroll less and live more. 4 00:00:31,356 --> 00:00:38,236 Speaker 1: I'm Arlene Pelikane and this is the Happy Home. I'm 5 00:00:38,236 --> 00:00:41,396 Speaker 1: so happy to be with Joshua Cooley. He is an author, 6 00:00:41,556 --> 00:00:45,756 Speaker 1: an editor, a speaker. He's got devotionals for kids, four teens, 7 00:00:45,876 --> 00:00:49,476 Speaker 1: for adults. He's a New York Times bestselling author, and 8 00:00:49,556 --> 00:00:52,435 Speaker 1: he has kids books for you, so much to look at. 9 00:00:52,836 --> 00:00:55,396 Speaker 1: And today we're going to be talking about his Heroes 10 00:00:55,436 --> 00:00:58,596 Speaker 1: of the Bible devotional. There's the original devotional and there's 11 00:00:58,636 --> 00:01:01,356 Speaker 1: also devotional number two, so we're going to be touching 12 00:01:01,396 --> 00:01:04,875 Speaker 1: on that. And he is a longtime sportswriter. He has 13 00:01:04,916 --> 00:01:07,036 Speaker 1: been the editor. Are you currently the editor also for 14 00:01:07,116 --> 00:01:08,956 Speaker 1: Fellowship of Christian Athletes magazine? 15 00:01:09,036 --> 00:01:10,956 Speaker 2: Josh I am yeah, yeah. 16 00:01:10,715 --> 00:01:13,636 Speaker 1: So past and present editor. So welcome to the show. 17 00:01:13,715 --> 00:01:14,476 Speaker 1: So good to have you. 18 00:01:14,996 --> 00:01:16,875 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, Arleene, great to be here. 19 00:01:17,596 --> 00:01:19,556 Speaker 1: Will you start out by telling you a little bit 20 00:01:19,676 --> 00:01:21,956 Speaker 1: about the book you co authored, Believe It and for 21 00:01:22,036 --> 00:01:24,196 Speaker 1: all the football fans out there who you did that with. 22 00:01:25,556 --> 00:01:29,835 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, so that was twenty eighteen. It was based 23 00:01:29,875 --> 00:01:34,356 Speaker 2: on well, it's the Nick Foles memoir when he won 24 00:01:34,396 --> 00:01:37,556 Speaker 2: the Super Bowl with the Eagles during the twenty seventeen season. 25 00:01:37,636 --> 00:01:39,715 Speaker 2: But of course the super Bowl was number fifty two, 26 00:01:39,795 --> 00:01:42,996 Speaker 2: happened in twenty eighteen. So anyway, I had been working 27 00:01:43,036 --> 00:01:45,796 Speaker 2: with Nick and some of the other Christians on that 28 00:01:45,916 --> 00:01:49,996 Speaker 2: Eagles team for an article, a magazine article, and that 29 00:01:50,116 --> 00:01:55,996 Speaker 2: turned into a book entitled The Biggest Win, published by 30 00:01:56,036 --> 00:01:58,756 Speaker 2: New Growth Press. And as I was working on this book, 31 00:01:58,796 --> 00:02:01,516 Speaker 2: the season was going on and they kept winning and 32 00:02:01,556 --> 00:02:06,076 Speaker 2: winning and winning. Carson Wentz, thet starting quarterback, got hurt. 33 00:02:06,156 --> 00:02:09,036 Speaker 2: Nick Foles jumps in, he leads them to the Super Bowl, 34 00:02:09,116 --> 00:02:14,356 Speaker 2: wins Super Bowl MVP. Incredible. So I text him after 35 00:02:14,476 --> 00:02:16,636 Speaker 2: the Super Bowl and say, hey, would you like to 36 00:02:16,676 --> 00:02:20,556 Speaker 2: work on a memoir? The congratulations an amazing story. He 37 00:02:20,556 --> 00:02:22,996 Speaker 2: gets back to me about a week later and says yes, 38 00:02:23,156 --> 00:02:26,356 Speaker 2: and so, my goodness, yeah, Like I mean, I was 39 00:02:26,396 --> 00:02:30,835 Speaker 2: beside myself. So we got together with Tyndale the publisher, 40 00:02:31,756 --> 00:02:34,676 Speaker 2: and cranked out a book faster than I think I 41 00:02:34,756 --> 00:02:38,115 Speaker 2: ever have, something like seventy five thousand words in six weeks. 42 00:02:38,156 --> 00:02:39,595 Speaker 2: I believe, Oh. 43 00:02:39,316 --> 00:02:42,196 Speaker 1: My goodness, that is crazy. That's like Super Bowl writing 44 00:02:42,276 --> 00:02:43,636 Speaker 1: right there. Yeah. 45 00:02:43,716 --> 00:02:47,076 Speaker 2: Yeah, So we wanted to have it in hand for 46 00:02:47,196 --> 00:02:49,116 Speaker 2: people because we wanted him to go in a book 47 00:02:49,156 --> 00:02:53,596 Speaker 2: tour before a training camp started for the twenty eighteen season, 48 00:02:53,636 --> 00:02:56,555 Speaker 2: and that starts in mid to late July, and here 49 00:02:56,555 --> 00:02:59,636 Speaker 2: we are talking about starting the book in like late March, 50 00:03:00,476 --> 00:03:02,516 Speaker 2: or maybe it was early March, but anyway, we had 51 00:03:02,555 --> 00:03:04,755 Speaker 2: like four three and a half four months to put 52 00:03:04,796 --> 00:03:08,435 Speaker 2: out a major memoir and it was wild and wonderful. 53 00:03:09,196 --> 00:03:09,636 Speaker 2: It was great. 54 00:03:09,796 --> 00:03:12,196 Speaker 1: That's amazing. We're going to go back to sports and 55 00:03:12,236 --> 00:03:15,756 Speaker 1: how those sports heroes can be very influential in a 56 00:03:15,756 --> 00:03:19,076 Speaker 1: boy's life and a girl's life, and how they don't 57 00:03:19,115 --> 00:03:23,715 Speaker 1: have to contradict godly heroes, right, because you're highlighting some 58 00:03:23,796 --> 00:03:27,555 Speaker 1: really good men who are awesome athletes, but also who 59 00:03:27,675 --> 00:03:29,876 Speaker 1: love the Lord with all their hearts. So that's pretty cool. 60 00:03:30,555 --> 00:03:33,316 Speaker 1: You have these devotional as heroes of the Bible. Why 61 00:03:33,356 --> 00:03:36,996 Speaker 1: do you think right now it's so important, especially for boys, 62 00:03:37,676 --> 00:03:39,596 Speaker 1: tell us about the role of a hero in a 63 00:03:39,596 --> 00:03:42,596 Speaker 1: boy's life, and why is that particularly important right now? 64 00:03:43,316 --> 00:03:45,276 Speaker 2: Yeah? Well, I think if you just look at the 65 00:03:45,316 --> 00:03:47,956 Speaker 2: box office numbers right of any major motion picture coming 66 00:03:47,996 --> 00:03:52,516 Speaker 2: out by like Star Wars or Marvel or DC Comics 67 00:03:52,596 --> 00:03:56,956 Speaker 2: or whatever. Yeah, those are always very popular. And so 68 00:03:56,996 --> 00:03:59,316 Speaker 2: we love heroes. We love hero stories. Here comes one. 69 00:03:59,316 --> 00:04:00,716 Speaker 2: I don't know when this is going to come out, 70 00:04:00,716 --> 00:04:04,315 Speaker 2: but Odysseus right of the Odyssey that's coming out soon. 71 00:04:05,116 --> 00:04:07,636 Speaker 2: We love these kind of stories. So many of them 72 00:04:07,756 --> 00:04:12,396 Speaker 2: are mythological, right, but with scripture we have hero stories 73 00:04:12,436 --> 00:04:17,876 Speaker 2: that are true. And the greatest thing about the Biblical 74 00:04:17,876 --> 00:04:20,876 Speaker 2: heroes is that they were not empowered by any innate 75 00:04:21,396 --> 00:04:23,476 Speaker 2: power that they have inside of them. They're powered by 76 00:04:23,556 --> 00:04:26,676 Speaker 2: God's spirit, by his power. And so that's really the 77 00:04:26,716 --> 00:04:28,596 Speaker 2: message I want to give to kids is that if 78 00:04:28,596 --> 00:04:30,956 Speaker 2: you look at any one of the biblical heroes in 79 00:04:30,996 --> 00:04:35,516 Speaker 2: the Bible, men, women, whoever, Old Testament, New Testament. God 80 00:04:35,556 --> 00:04:38,556 Speaker 2: never starts off with someone who is already amazing, who 81 00:04:38,596 --> 00:04:42,036 Speaker 2: is already super strong, who already has superpowers whatever, right. 82 00:04:42,236 --> 00:04:46,315 Speaker 2: He starts off with the weak, the timid, the ordinary, 83 00:04:46,755 --> 00:04:49,956 Speaker 2: and he transforms them into something amazing, again, not by 84 00:04:49,996 --> 00:04:53,116 Speaker 2: their power, but by His power and for his glory. 85 00:04:53,116 --> 00:04:56,315 Speaker 2: And so that gives great confidence to all of us, 86 00:04:56,356 --> 00:04:59,396 Speaker 2: and I hope to kids too that if you're feeling 87 00:04:59,396 --> 00:05:04,596 Speaker 2: weak overlooked, insignificant, the last kid picked on the kickball team. Whatever. 88 00:05:05,676 --> 00:05:09,236 Speaker 2: That's exactly where God can use you most, because he 89 00:05:09,516 --> 00:05:12,956 Speaker 2: always picks the week to humble the strong. Ooh. 90 00:05:12,996 --> 00:05:14,955 Speaker 1: As people are listening to this, I can picture a 91 00:05:14,996 --> 00:05:17,396 Speaker 1: mom or dad saying, hey, you know, I want to 92 00:05:17,436 --> 00:05:19,436 Speaker 1: give my kid right now an example. Well, if someone 93 00:05:19,476 --> 00:05:22,916 Speaker 1: in the Bible who was weak in ordinary and became amazing, 94 00:05:23,156 --> 00:05:26,236 Speaker 1: where might they start? What biblical character could they start with? 95 00:05:26,796 --> 00:05:27,036 Speaker 3: Oh? 96 00:05:27,116 --> 00:05:29,476 Speaker 2: Gosh, I mean, just look at all of them, right, 97 00:05:29,476 --> 00:05:32,716 Speaker 2: But one coming to mind immediately is Gideon. Right, he's 98 00:05:32,716 --> 00:05:36,556 Speaker 2: one of the judges, Judges chapter six, I believe. And 99 00:05:37,276 --> 00:05:39,596 Speaker 2: when the Angel comes to him and says, we want 100 00:05:39,676 --> 00:05:44,395 Speaker 2: God wants you to lead Israel against Midian. Where's Gideon. 101 00:05:44,755 --> 00:05:47,676 Speaker 2: He's hiding in a wine press. He's hiding in a 102 00:05:47,716 --> 00:05:50,996 Speaker 2: ditch in the ground, and he makes all the excuses, 103 00:05:51,556 --> 00:05:54,835 Speaker 2: and you know, but the angel, tongue in cheeks, says, 104 00:05:54,956 --> 00:05:58,876 Speaker 2: you know, hot, hello, there, mighty man of Valor hiding 105 00:05:58,876 --> 00:06:02,716 Speaker 2: in a ditch. But he's projecting what Gideon is going 106 00:06:02,755 --> 00:06:04,876 Speaker 2: to become through God's power. And of course he does 107 00:06:04,956 --> 00:06:09,316 Speaker 2: great things. But again, it wasn't It wasn't through Gideon's power. 108 00:06:09,315 --> 00:06:11,996 Speaker 2: It wasn't through Gideon's men because God whittled down his 109 00:06:12,315 --> 00:06:15,076 Speaker 2: army from what thirty two thousand to three hundred. It 110 00:06:15,116 --> 00:06:17,876 Speaker 2: wasn't because of his advanced weaponry, because God had him 111 00:06:17,916 --> 00:06:22,796 Speaker 2: fight with what trumpets and torches, and you know, it 112 00:06:22,836 --> 00:06:25,035 Speaker 2: was all the Lord. And so it's all the Lord 113 00:06:25,236 --> 00:06:27,036 Speaker 2: for when we do great things too here in the 114 00:06:27,036 --> 00:06:27,916 Speaker 2: twenty first century. 115 00:06:28,396 --> 00:06:30,796 Speaker 1: It's really that balance, right, because we live in this 116 00:06:31,195 --> 00:06:34,076 Speaker 1: sense of big sense of self. You can do it. 117 00:06:34,195 --> 00:06:37,116 Speaker 1: The magic is within, you know, unleash the power, you know. 118 00:06:37,195 --> 00:06:40,396 Speaker 1: So this all this self slogan, you know for girls, 119 00:06:40,476 --> 00:06:42,556 Speaker 1: use this lip gloss and you're going to be able 120 00:06:42,556 --> 00:06:45,076 Speaker 1: to conquer the world that you can shine if you 121 00:06:45,076 --> 00:06:49,076 Speaker 1: put on this product. But the Bible, you know, is showing, yes, 122 00:06:49,116 --> 00:06:51,116 Speaker 1: you can do all of those things, but not because 123 00:06:51,156 --> 00:06:55,236 Speaker 1: of you, but because of Christ in you. Such a 124 00:06:55,236 --> 00:06:59,476 Speaker 1: different message with the heroes of the Bible devotional tell 125 00:06:59,556 --> 00:07:02,515 Speaker 1: us why, you know, why did you format it the 126 00:07:02,556 --> 00:07:05,036 Speaker 1: way that you did, and then tell us about a 127 00:07:05,076 --> 00:07:06,716 Speaker 1: few more of your favorite heroes in there. 128 00:07:08,236 --> 00:07:12,596 Speaker 2: Yeah, so the original here is the Bible devotional one 129 00:07:12,796 --> 00:07:17,356 Speaker 2: has ninety devotions and that's thirty Bible heroes, men and women, 130 00:07:17,796 --> 00:07:22,236 Speaker 2: three devotions each on them heroes too. The new book 131 00:07:22,836 --> 00:07:25,596 Speaker 2: follows the same format, but it has one hundred devotions, 132 00:07:26,076 --> 00:07:28,556 Speaker 2: and so those extra ten at the back are actually 133 00:07:29,356 --> 00:07:32,956 Speaker 2: one devotion each on ten early church mothers and fathers, 134 00:07:33,036 --> 00:07:36,836 Speaker 2: church leaders. So you've got Ignacious, You've got Augustine, you've 135 00:07:36,836 --> 00:07:40,956 Speaker 2: got Polycarp. There's a few ladies in there too, like Perpetua. 136 00:07:41,036 --> 00:07:42,876 Speaker 2: I had to learn some of these stories that I 137 00:07:42,876 --> 00:07:45,476 Speaker 2: had never heard about before. But these were all folks 138 00:07:45,476 --> 00:07:49,516 Speaker 2: who were within the first few centuries of Christianity, starting 139 00:07:49,596 --> 00:07:53,796 Speaker 2: after Jesus rose again, and they were instrumental to the faith. 140 00:07:53,796 --> 00:07:56,276 Speaker 2: So I want to show kids that God's story did 141 00:07:56,276 --> 00:08:00,636 Speaker 2: not end when the biblical cannon ended, right, It continued 142 00:08:00,676 --> 00:08:03,396 Speaker 2: into the first few centuries, and it continues even today, 143 00:08:03,436 --> 00:08:06,756 Speaker 2: and they can be part of an incredible legacy of faith. 144 00:08:07,116 --> 00:08:11,436 Speaker 2: But yeah, so I formatted it with some of those 145 00:08:11,476 --> 00:08:15,396 Speaker 2: things I already mentioned, but it's got the Bible story. 146 00:08:15,996 --> 00:08:18,316 Speaker 2: What we can take away from it a verse of 147 00:08:18,356 --> 00:08:21,276 Speaker 2: the day hero highlight to give kids a little bit 148 00:08:21,276 --> 00:08:24,196 Speaker 2: more about the person they're reading about, and a gospel 149 00:08:24,196 --> 00:08:26,396 Speaker 2: connection for a lot of them, to help kids see 150 00:08:26,396 --> 00:08:29,116 Speaker 2: that even in the Old Testament, things were constantly pointing 151 00:08:29,156 --> 00:08:32,276 Speaker 2: to Jesus. They're not just a collection of random stories. 152 00:08:32,596 --> 00:08:34,636 Speaker 2: It's all pointing to the greatest here of all time, 153 00:08:35,036 --> 00:08:36,596 Speaker 2: and that's God's son, Jesus Christ. 154 00:08:36,996 --> 00:08:39,036 Speaker 1: Yeah, and as someone picks it up, you know, you've 155 00:08:39,076 --> 00:08:41,556 Speaker 1: got the graphics in there, so it's more interesting for 156 00:08:41,596 --> 00:08:43,956 Speaker 1: a kid to read. But a kid does have to 157 00:08:43,996 --> 00:08:46,236 Speaker 1: be able to read right, to be able to pick 158 00:08:46,316 --> 00:08:49,196 Speaker 1: up anything the Bible, any kind of devotional. Talk to 159 00:08:49,276 --> 00:08:51,956 Speaker 1: the mom or dad who says my kid. 160 00:08:51,716 --> 00:08:56,676 Speaker 2: Won't read, well, we've got pictures. We've got pictures. 161 00:08:56,316 --> 00:08:57,796 Speaker 1: Earlier, so we're going to help them. 162 00:08:57,876 --> 00:09:00,716 Speaker 2: We're going to help them, right, So every every devotion 163 00:09:01,036 --> 00:09:04,916 Speaker 2: has you know, some cool graphics and then a picture 164 00:09:04,916 --> 00:09:07,836 Speaker 2: of the hero. Again, it's a short two page spread 165 00:09:07,996 --> 00:09:10,436 Speaker 2: broken up into lots of small sections, so it's really 166 00:09:10,436 --> 00:09:13,436 Speaker 2: easy for kids to read. It's also great for parents 167 00:09:13,516 --> 00:09:14,636 Speaker 2: to read along with their kids. 168 00:09:14,676 --> 00:09:16,076 Speaker 1: So that's what I was going to suggest. 169 00:09:16,356 --> 00:09:18,236 Speaker 2: Yeah, so if your kid isn't a great reader, then 170 00:09:18,516 --> 00:09:21,396 Speaker 2: read it to them. That's what I've done with my kids. 171 00:09:21,476 --> 00:09:24,476 Speaker 2: Now they're all teenagers are above, so not doing too 172 00:09:24,556 --> 00:09:28,276 Speaker 2: much more reading to them, but yeah, read it to him. 173 00:09:28,396 --> 00:09:31,156 Speaker 2: And encourage them to dive in. It'll take you know, 174 00:09:31,276 --> 00:09:33,036 Speaker 2: five minutes, you. 175 00:09:32,956 --> 00:09:35,756 Speaker 1: Know, and read it to them, have them read it 176 00:09:35,836 --> 00:09:38,036 Speaker 1: back to you. That is a wonderful way. Like a 177 00:09:38,076 --> 00:09:40,676 Speaker 1: lot of our kids are struggling in school because of reading. 178 00:09:41,316 --> 00:09:43,716 Speaker 1: And what a beautiful way if you can kill two 179 00:09:43,716 --> 00:09:45,756 Speaker 1: birds with one stone, if I may, and get the 180 00:09:45,796 --> 00:09:47,596 Speaker 1: word of God in them and then help them to 181 00:09:47,636 --> 00:09:49,556 Speaker 1: read at the same time, and it just takes a 182 00:09:49,556 --> 00:09:53,236 Speaker 1: few minutes, you know. I just recently rewatched the movie 183 00:09:53,236 --> 00:09:56,196 Speaker 1: To Kill a Mockingbird, the one with Greg RePEc, the 184 00:09:56,236 --> 00:09:58,676 Speaker 1: black and white one, and yeah, there's this scene, right, 185 00:09:58,716 --> 00:10:01,196 Speaker 1: and there's this scene where he and his daughter Scout 186 00:10:01,276 --> 00:10:04,996 Speaker 1: are reading, right, they read every night, and she gets 187 00:10:05,076 --> 00:10:09,596 Speaker 1: in fights in school because they say she's not learning 188 00:10:09,756 --> 00:10:12,676 Speaker 1: properly right how to read. And he makes her this promise, 189 00:10:12,996 --> 00:10:15,196 Speaker 1: if you will stop fighting in school, I will keep 190 00:10:15,276 --> 00:10:18,036 Speaker 1: reading with you at night. And I just thought, what 191 00:10:18,156 --> 00:10:21,076 Speaker 1: an amazing world where a kid would say, I will 192 00:10:21,076 --> 00:10:23,076 Speaker 1: obey this because I don't want to lose my time 193 00:10:23,116 --> 00:10:25,756 Speaker 1: reading with my father. And I tell you what, that 194 00:10:25,836 --> 00:10:31,316 Speaker 1: is not an old fashioned ideal kids today still maybe 195 00:10:31,356 --> 00:10:33,156 Speaker 1: not a fifteen year old. Okay, if you're starting with 196 00:10:33,196 --> 00:10:37,756 Speaker 1: a fifteen year old, but a child under ten will 197 00:10:37,836 --> 00:10:40,756 Speaker 1: want to sit with you, will want to sit right 198 00:10:40,796 --> 00:10:44,756 Speaker 1: next to read with you. Like even if they look 199 00:10:44,796 --> 00:10:47,356 Speaker 1: like they are not interested, they would still want to 200 00:10:47,396 --> 00:10:50,116 Speaker 1: do that with you. So this devotional is a wonderful 201 00:10:50,116 --> 00:10:53,276 Speaker 1: way kind of start to start doing that. Now, this devotional, 202 00:10:53,316 --> 00:10:55,836 Speaker 1: you know, this heroes is kind of like boylike, which 203 00:10:55,876 --> 00:10:58,076 Speaker 1: is good. Boys need that because there's a lot of 204 00:10:58,076 --> 00:11:01,116 Speaker 1: material for girls out there and women and not as 205 00:11:01,236 --> 00:11:04,476 Speaker 1: much material I think resources for men and for boys. 206 00:11:04,476 --> 00:11:07,316 Speaker 1: So I think it's really very positive. How have you seen, though, 207 00:11:07,356 --> 00:11:09,836 Speaker 1: you're the father of for girls, So how have you 208 00:11:09,876 --> 00:11:13,636 Speaker 1: seen your girls kind of hook into your books these 209 00:11:13,716 --> 00:11:14,956 Speaker 1: particular things. 210 00:11:15,476 --> 00:11:17,636 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, they get they get really excited about it. Again, 211 00:11:17,876 --> 00:11:21,276 Speaker 2: the heroes of the Bible devotionals are written for you know, 212 00:11:21,356 --> 00:11:26,636 Speaker 2: elementary maybe tween ages, so they're all past that stage now. 213 00:11:26,676 --> 00:11:30,996 Speaker 2: I've got twenty, nineteen, sixteen, and fourteen. But they get 214 00:11:30,996 --> 00:11:33,476 Speaker 2: really excited, and they've read a lot of my books. 215 00:11:34,836 --> 00:11:36,836 Speaker 2: When a new book would come out when they were 216 00:11:36,916 --> 00:11:41,076 Speaker 2: in that age range, I would usually give them each 217 00:11:41,076 --> 00:11:44,356 Speaker 2: a copy and you know, just write a little inscription 218 00:11:44,556 --> 00:11:47,836 Speaker 2: and so yeah, they definitely loved going through those. I 219 00:11:47,956 --> 00:11:51,316 Speaker 2: read those devotionals to them each night when they were 220 00:11:51,756 --> 00:11:55,796 Speaker 2: in that age range. And I even dedicated my first 221 00:11:55,876 --> 00:11:57,716 Speaker 2: hear is of the Bible devotional to them, my four 222 00:11:57,756 --> 00:11:59,716 Speaker 2: little princesses, I think is what I said in there. 223 00:12:00,636 --> 00:12:03,436 Speaker 1: That's so awesome. I love it. You know, I'm going 224 00:12:03,516 --> 00:12:07,076 Speaker 1: to have Ruth Joe Simon's on and she has she 225 00:12:07,116 --> 00:12:09,116 Speaker 1: has six boys. I think she has six boys. And 226 00:12:09,156 --> 00:12:13,276 Speaker 1: she is just the most artistic woman, you know, flowers 227 00:12:13,396 --> 00:12:16,596 Speaker 1: and watercolor and accessories, and here she is with these 228 00:12:16,676 --> 00:12:20,796 Speaker 1: six boys. And here you are sports writer, right, and 229 00:12:20,876 --> 00:12:23,876 Speaker 1: you have four girls? What was that like for you 230 00:12:23,916 --> 00:12:26,796 Speaker 1: as a dad? And so talk to those dads who 231 00:12:26,836 --> 00:12:29,236 Speaker 1: love sports all these things but have all girls. How 232 00:12:29,236 --> 00:12:30,556 Speaker 1: did you bridge that? 233 00:12:31,636 --> 00:12:33,956 Speaker 2: Oh? Yeah, well, I absolutely love it. I feel like 234 00:12:33,996 --> 00:12:36,036 Speaker 2: I'm with girls, four girls, I'm going to be taken 235 00:12:36,076 --> 00:12:37,516 Speaker 2: care of for the rest of my life. 236 00:12:38,436 --> 00:12:39,756 Speaker 1: Actually, I don't know. 237 00:12:39,756 --> 00:12:42,636 Speaker 2: I don't know if for hey nothing against boys, and 238 00:12:43,316 --> 00:12:45,196 Speaker 2: the mom you just mentioned, you will probably be well 239 00:12:45,236 --> 00:12:47,756 Speaker 2: taken care of too. But I feel like with four girls, 240 00:12:47,916 --> 00:12:51,516 Speaker 2: I'm just I'm set for life, right, They're just true, 241 00:12:52,356 --> 00:12:56,956 Speaker 2: They're so caring, So I quickly I feel like I 242 00:12:57,036 --> 00:12:59,996 Speaker 2: just got into that after we had two girls and 243 00:13:00,036 --> 00:13:03,236 Speaker 2: we didn't know the sex of the third. Yeah. I 244 00:13:03,276 --> 00:13:05,516 Speaker 2: don't know if I prayed this, but I remember thinking, God, 245 00:13:05,636 --> 00:13:08,636 Speaker 2: just please make it another girl. Like everything is paid, 246 00:13:08,916 --> 00:13:14,116 Speaker 2: everything is purple, everything is Barbie, you know, doll house. Yeah, 247 00:13:14,196 --> 00:13:16,876 Speaker 2: let's just just keep it going. And and it did, 248 00:13:16,916 --> 00:13:20,636 Speaker 2: and it's been really great. So they've they've played sports, 249 00:13:20,836 --> 00:13:24,356 Speaker 2: and you know, they they're messy, just like boys. But 250 00:13:25,436 --> 00:13:28,396 Speaker 2: it has it has really been wonderful, and you get 251 00:13:28,396 --> 00:13:31,196 Speaker 2: the care and compassion and tenderness I think with girls 252 00:13:31,196 --> 00:13:33,356 Speaker 2: that maybe you don't. I mean, my fourteen year old 253 00:13:33,796 --> 00:13:35,756 Speaker 2: is still asking me to read with her and pray 254 00:13:35,796 --> 00:13:38,836 Speaker 2: with her at night, and so that's that's a really 255 00:13:38,836 --> 00:13:40,756 Speaker 2: wonderful thing. I will take that as long as she 256 00:13:40,876 --> 00:13:41,356 Speaker 2: will let me. 257 00:13:42,356 --> 00:13:44,836 Speaker 1: What are some activities and rhythms you did as a 258 00:13:44,916 --> 00:13:47,356 Speaker 1: dad to connect with your girls that you can share 259 00:13:47,396 --> 00:13:48,196 Speaker 1: with other dads. 260 00:13:50,156 --> 00:13:52,076 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, one of the biggest is that I just 261 00:13:52,156 --> 00:13:55,396 Speaker 2: made are we called it Bible reading time or you know, 262 00:13:55,516 --> 00:13:58,596 Speaker 2: family devotional time. I just made that a staple. Did 263 00:13:58,596 --> 00:14:01,316 Speaker 2: we do it perfectly every night three hundred and sixty 264 00:14:01,316 --> 00:14:01,996 Speaker 2: five days a year. 265 00:14:01,996 --> 00:14:03,876 Speaker 1: No, But nobody does right. 266 00:14:03,876 --> 00:14:07,236 Speaker 2: Hardly anybody does right, but the majority of the time, Yeah, 267 00:14:07,236 --> 00:14:09,076 Speaker 2: we did it. I just felt like that was important. 268 00:14:10,076 --> 00:14:12,676 Speaker 2: And so again it's bearing fruit. Even now, my fourteen 269 00:14:12,716 --> 00:14:14,316 Speaker 2: year old she doesn't want to stop that and I 270 00:14:14,356 --> 00:14:15,716 Speaker 2: will do it as long as possible. 271 00:14:15,916 --> 00:14:17,996 Speaker 1: Help us with when when did you do it? Like 272 00:14:18,036 --> 00:14:20,036 Speaker 1: what time of day did you do it? Like how 273 00:14:20,076 --> 00:14:21,916 Speaker 1: long was it? Those kinds of things. 274 00:14:22,636 --> 00:14:26,876 Speaker 2: In the evening that worked well for us. Right before bedtime, uh, 275 00:14:27,236 --> 00:14:30,476 Speaker 2: you know, either a short scripture reading or one of 276 00:14:30,516 --> 00:14:34,036 Speaker 2: my devotionals or another devotional that I was aware of. 277 00:14:34,836 --> 00:14:39,396 Speaker 2: Some prayer time. Early on, I would pray just to 278 00:14:39,396 --> 00:14:41,796 Speaker 2: give them maybe a model of prayer, and then as 279 00:14:41,836 --> 00:14:45,116 Speaker 2: they got older, I would start encouraging them to pray 280 00:14:45,116 --> 00:14:46,756 Speaker 2: as well, and they would always be very shy. I 281 00:14:46,756 --> 00:14:48,676 Speaker 2: don't know what to say. It's like God just wants 282 00:14:48,676 --> 00:14:51,476 Speaker 2: to hear your heart. Just tell them what's on your heart, 283 00:14:53,116 --> 00:14:55,316 Speaker 2: and maybe we'd sing a song. When they were younger, 284 00:14:55,636 --> 00:14:57,956 Speaker 2: they would not like me singing songs with them. Now, 285 00:14:57,996 --> 00:15:03,076 Speaker 2: that would be that would be awkward, but or as 286 00:15:03,076 --> 00:15:07,556 Speaker 2: they say, aw right, it would just be awk so anyway, 287 00:15:07,556 --> 00:15:09,636 Speaker 2: but yeah, so that's that's the way it looked for us, 288 00:15:09,716 --> 00:15:12,396 Speaker 2: and you know even now, like I want to have 289 00:15:12,636 --> 00:15:15,316 Speaker 2: some Bible time with them, although they're older and some 290 00:15:15,356 --> 00:15:17,676 Speaker 2: of them have part time jobs and want to to 291 00:15:17,796 --> 00:15:20,316 Speaker 2: were in college and tour in high school. I'm trying 292 00:15:20,316 --> 00:15:22,916 Speaker 2: to find ways, like what's a way I can keep 293 00:15:22,956 --> 00:15:25,236 Speaker 2: getting God's word into them throughout the week because of 294 00:15:25,276 --> 00:15:28,156 Speaker 2: course at church on Sundays. Yeah, what's what's another way? 295 00:15:28,156 --> 00:15:30,276 Speaker 2: And so I'm I'm toying with the idea of what 296 00:15:30,276 --> 00:15:34,116 Speaker 2: it would look like to just open Scripture for five 297 00:15:34,156 --> 00:15:37,236 Speaker 2: minutes while they're eating dinner. Everybody's there, I've got them, 298 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:41,516 Speaker 2: I've got a captive audience. So I might start doing 299 00:15:41,556 --> 00:15:41,836 Speaker 2: that too. 300 00:15:42,156 --> 00:15:44,476 Speaker 1: I love that it's just just thinking through the season 301 00:15:44,516 --> 00:15:47,476 Speaker 1: of life that you're in, what's like an intentional thing 302 00:15:47,516 --> 00:15:49,516 Speaker 1: that would be doable for us, that we're going to 303 00:15:49,516 --> 00:15:51,436 Speaker 1: put the word of God in and for those of 304 00:15:51,476 --> 00:15:54,396 Speaker 1: you listening, if you have littles, you know, giving them 305 00:15:54,796 --> 00:15:57,556 Speaker 1: the heroes of the Bible, giving them the Bible stories 306 00:15:57,996 --> 00:16:00,676 Speaker 1: and getting in that rhythm that's you just take all 307 00:16:00,716 --> 00:16:03,356 Speaker 1: the storybook Bibles and the toddler Bibles, you know, all 308 00:16:03,396 --> 00:16:06,716 Speaker 1: those those many resources, read that at night. It just 309 00:16:06,756 --> 00:16:08,516 Speaker 1: takes a few minutes. But if you get in the 310 00:16:08,596 --> 00:16:11,876 Speaker 1: rhythm of every night you read this two minute story 311 00:16:11,956 --> 00:16:14,756 Speaker 1: or three minute story. Then I have seen in all 312 00:16:14,836 --> 00:16:18,636 Speaker 1: my kids college grad college, high school. Then as they 313 00:16:18,676 --> 00:16:21,276 Speaker 1: get they do it on their own. Like you don't 314 00:16:21,316 --> 00:16:23,476 Speaker 1: really say, right, Josh, you didn't say like, now it's 315 00:16:23,476 --> 00:16:25,676 Speaker 1: this time, you better pick up your Bible and read them. 316 00:16:25,836 --> 00:16:27,316 Speaker 1: And then one day you'll just look in they're in 317 00:16:27,356 --> 00:16:29,516 Speaker 1: their room and they've got the Bible open and they're 318 00:16:29,556 --> 00:16:32,116 Speaker 1: just laying their reading and you're like, this is awesome. 319 00:16:32,316 --> 00:16:36,516 Speaker 1: So those habits they make it very cozy and they 320 00:16:36,596 --> 00:16:38,036 Speaker 1: just kind of can keep doing them. 321 00:16:38,276 --> 00:16:41,756 Speaker 2: Yeah. Two other quick thoughts there if I can. Yeah, parents, 322 00:16:41,796 --> 00:16:45,236 Speaker 2: I encourage you get your kids a Bible again, whatever 323 00:16:45,276 --> 00:16:47,716 Speaker 2: age group they're at. I mean, publishing these days is 324 00:16:47,756 --> 00:16:51,036 Speaker 2: so wonderful. Where you know, any age you'll have a 325 00:16:51,076 --> 00:16:55,116 Speaker 2: Bible for kids, right, storybook bibles for the littles, even 326 00:16:55,156 --> 00:16:58,916 Speaker 2: board books for ones who are really small, or as 327 00:16:58,916 --> 00:17:02,796 Speaker 2: they get older. There are middle grade Bibles, there's teen Bibles, 328 00:17:02,836 --> 00:17:06,596 Speaker 2: tween Bibles. It's all there. Just so find find a 329 00:17:06,636 --> 00:17:09,316 Speaker 2: Bible for them, and don't don't let them not having 330 00:17:09,316 --> 00:17:11,555 Speaker 2: a Bible on their bookshelf be the reason that they 331 00:17:11,636 --> 00:17:15,715 Speaker 2: don't start doing that on their own. The second thought is, 332 00:17:16,316 --> 00:17:18,515 Speaker 2: so many of our good conversations that we had with 333 00:17:18,676 --> 00:17:21,596 Speaker 2: me and my girls. We've had a lot of good 334 00:17:21,636 --> 00:17:24,356 Speaker 2: ones in that structured time at night, but we've also 335 00:17:24,475 --> 00:17:27,476 Speaker 2: had a lot of structure, a lot of great conversations 336 00:17:27,796 --> 00:17:32,395 Speaker 2: in unstructured time, when we're driving, when we're out doing something, 337 00:17:32,436 --> 00:17:35,236 Speaker 2: when we're at I don't know, an amusement park. 338 00:17:35,156 --> 00:17:36,795 Speaker 1: Just you know, waiting line. 339 00:17:37,076 --> 00:17:42,276 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, So there's so many gospel opportunities. So take 340 00:17:42,316 --> 00:17:45,315 Speaker 2: a nature hike and talk about this amazing world that 341 00:17:45,356 --> 00:17:48,995 Speaker 2: we live in and the incredible aspects of creation, and 342 00:17:49,035 --> 00:17:51,636 Speaker 2: then point it back to the God who made it all. 343 00:17:51,676 --> 00:17:54,756 Speaker 2: And that right there is I feel like more powerful 344 00:17:54,796 --> 00:17:59,916 Speaker 2: oftentimes than those ten minutes in their bedroom before bed, 345 00:18:00,916 --> 00:18:03,716 Speaker 2: because a lot of times those things just pop up 346 00:18:03,755 --> 00:18:06,715 Speaker 2: and they'll have questions, and so when you answer them, say, well, 347 00:18:06,755 --> 00:18:09,075 Speaker 2: if you don't believe Dad, look around, who created all this? 348 00:18:09,196 --> 00:18:12,036 Speaker 2: It's happen by chance. And those can be some really 349 00:18:12,035 --> 00:18:12,955 Speaker 2: wonderful moments. 350 00:18:13,196 --> 00:18:16,315 Speaker 1: Yeah, that is all for those phone free moments of 351 00:18:16,356 --> 00:18:19,156 Speaker 1: in those empty moments, don't spend it looking down on 352 00:18:19,196 --> 00:18:21,156 Speaker 1: your phone. You're going to miss that if you don't 353 00:18:21,196 --> 00:18:23,316 Speaker 1: have your phone with you and you and your child 354 00:18:23,356 --> 00:18:25,196 Speaker 1: are there, something's going to come up, Like it's gonna 355 00:18:25,196 --> 00:18:27,676 Speaker 1: be quiet and someone's going to say something, and you'll 356 00:18:27,676 --> 00:18:30,075 Speaker 1: be like, wow, I'm really glad I was available to 357 00:18:30,156 --> 00:18:32,275 Speaker 1: hear what was on your heart because I no idea 358 00:18:32,316 --> 00:18:34,955 Speaker 1: that's what you were thinking. So that's that is so 359 00:18:35,116 --> 00:18:38,235 Speaker 1: true as you talk to a lot of kids in 360 00:18:38,955 --> 00:18:43,115 Speaker 1: at events and different things, what are some things that 361 00:18:43,156 --> 00:18:46,276 Speaker 1: trouble you about what you're seeing in childhood right now? 362 00:18:47,676 --> 00:18:50,196 Speaker 2: M well, that's a good question. How much time do 363 00:18:50,235 --> 00:18:55,955 Speaker 2: we have? Yeah, exactly, boy, Well we just talked about it. 364 00:18:56,196 --> 00:18:58,596 Speaker 2: I think it's just phone usage. I mean that's something 365 00:18:58,596 --> 00:18:59,676 Speaker 2: that I'm battling as. 366 00:18:59,676 --> 00:19:02,835 Speaker 1: A parent, right, as an adult with a full brain, 367 00:19:03,876 --> 00:19:04,676 Speaker 1: right right, you know. 368 00:19:05,275 --> 00:19:08,075 Speaker 2: But there's one child in particular, who of mine, who 369 00:19:08,116 --> 00:19:10,355 Speaker 2: will remain nameless. That that's been more of a battle 370 00:19:10,396 --> 00:19:15,036 Speaker 2: than some others. And so just getting them to look up, 371 00:19:15,755 --> 00:19:20,596 Speaker 2: look around them and you see the world God's created 372 00:19:20,636 --> 00:19:25,235 Speaker 2: and enjoy things. I mean, kids these days, their their 373 00:19:25,356 --> 00:19:28,275 Speaker 2: childhoods are so different in so many ways than when 374 00:19:28,396 --> 00:19:30,755 Speaker 2: you and I grew up, right, Yeah, I was always 375 00:19:30,796 --> 00:19:34,236 Speaker 2: outside playing it was one of those things where you know, Mom, 376 00:19:34,316 --> 00:19:35,955 Speaker 2: I'll be back for dinner time and I was gone 377 00:19:35,995 --> 00:19:38,755 Speaker 2: for five hours. Right, that doesn't I don't know that 378 00:19:38,796 --> 00:19:42,555 Speaker 2: didn't happen with my kids. Yeah, different, different world. But 379 00:19:42,995 --> 00:19:47,036 Speaker 2: the ways that we can just encourage them to get 380 00:19:47,035 --> 00:19:51,156 Speaker 2: off electronics, get off social media, and actually interact with people, 381 00:19:52,916 --> 00:19:56,955 Speaker 2: their peers, their family, their friends, and you know, enjoy 382 00:19:56,995 --> 00:20:00,515 Speaker 2: God's creation is I think a huge thing for kids today. 383 00:20:00,995 --> 00:20:03,235 Speaker 1: Yeah. That it would that it would solve a lot 384 00:20:03,316 --> 00:20:06,475 Speaker 1: of our loneliness and our anxiety, that's for sure. I 385 00:20:06,515 --> 00:20:09,396 Speaker 1: want to pivot here and talk about sports because you 386 00:20:09,515 --> 00:20:12,156 Speaker 1: have been into athletics for probably a very long time. 387 00:20:12,436 --> 00:20:15,356 Speaker 1: You must be kind of talk to us a little 388 00:20:15,356 --> 00:20:18,756 Speaker 1: bit about why you're so interested in sports, and then 389 00:20:19,076 --> 00:20:24,436 Speaker 1: help us to kind of navigate if it's too much 390 00:20:24,995 --> 00:20:27,316 Speaker 1: too little, you know, because there's some listening that it's like, wow, 391 00:20:27,396 --> 00:20:29,196 Speaker 1: it is way too much right now. But then there 392 00:20:29,196 --> 00:20:31,196 Speaker 1: are other people listening who aren't in sports at all 393 00:20:31,196 --> 00:20:32,875 Speaker 1: where it could be really great for their kids. So 394 00:20:32,955 --> 00:20:33,636 Speaker 1: let's go there. 395 00:20:34,556 --> 00:20:38,316 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, Well, so I played. I played up through 396 00:20:38,356 --> 00:20:42,036 Speaker 2: high school. I tried out for my college baseball team 397 00:20:42,076 --> 00:20:44,636 Speaker 2: and didn't hear my name called during the walk on 398 00:20:46,076 --> 00:20:48,436 Speaker 2: you know day. So that ended that. But then I thought, well, 399 00:20:48,436 --> 00:20:50,795 Speaker 2: what's the best next best thing to playing sports for 400 00:20:50,836 --> 00:20:52,876 Speaker 2: a living. Well, let's do writing sports for a living. 401 00:20:52,995 --> 00:20:54,036 Speaker 1: So there you go. 402 00:20:54,955 --> 00:20:56,876 Speaker 2: So early in my career I was a full time 403 00:20:56,916 --> 00:21:01,436 Speaker 2: sports writer for some newspapers back when people read newspapers totally, 404 00:21:02,275 --> 00:21:04,955 Speaker 2: and yeah, I've just enjoyed that. So God has really 405 00:21:04,955 --> 00:21:07,475 Speaker 2: given me the things I love most. I love working 406 00:21:07,475 --> 00:21:11,516 Speaker 2: with kids, I love sports, I love writing, editing, and 407 00:21:11,556 --> 00:21:14,555 Speaker 2: He's given me all those to varying degrees, and I 408 00:21:14,596 --> 00:21:17,516 Speaker 2: love it. But sports is a great way to learn 409 00:21:17,556 --> 00:21:22,436 Speaker 2: about yourself. It's a great way to learn how to 410 00:21:22,475 --> 00:21:25,676 Speaker 2: interact with others, a great way to you know, show 411 00:21:26,275 --> 00:21:32,156 Speaker 2: different fruits of the spirit, patience, kindness, you know, perseverance. 412 00:21:33,076 --> 00:21:36,916 Speaker 2: It's a great way to just help kids understand the 413 00:21:36,955 --> 00:21:41,396 Speaker 2: benefits of authority. Like your coach might bench you or 414 00:21:41,556 --> 00:21:43,795 Speaker 2: might not do something you like, but he's the coach. 415 00:21:43,836 --> 00:21:46,475 Speaker 2: And you know, we have to go through those tough 416 00:21:46,515 --> 00:21:50,356 Speaker 2: times because someone in authority over us said something. And 417 00:21:50,436 --> 00:21:54,595 Speaker 2: you know Rome's thirteen. All authority is there by you know, 418 00:21:54,636 --> 00:21:58,315 Speaker 2: by God. So anyway, sports really does provide a lot 419 00:21:58,356 --> 00:22:01,436 Speaker 2: of great life lessons, and then writing about sports and 420 00:22:01,475 --> 00:22:04,035 Speaker 2: writing about Christian athletes has been really wonderful for me 421 00:22:04,116 --> 00:22:08,436 Speaker 2: because we're a sports saturated culture and if I can 422 00:22:08,596 --> 00:22:11,995 Speaker 2: not just tell a game story about what happened the game, 423 00:22:12,196 --> 00:22:14,555 Speaker 2: you know, the night before, that's not as interesting to 424 00:22:14,636 --> 00:22:18,556 Speaker 2: me as who these folks are and how they integrate 425 00:22:18,596 --> 00:22:21,715 Speaker 2: sports all right, excuse me, how they integrate faith into 426 00:22:21,755 --> 00:22:24,396 Speaker 2: their sporting career. And I love telling those stories. 427 00:22:24,876 --> 00:22:26,515 Speaker 1: Tell us a little bit of what you've learned of 428 00:22:26,556 --> 00:22:28,955 Speaker 1: that and how we as parents might help coach our 429 00:22:29,035 --> 00:22:32,236 Speaker 1: kids to make their faith come more alive with their 430 00:22:32,275 --> 00:22:33,836 Speaker 1: basketball or whatever it is they're doing. 431 00:22:34,755 --> 00:22:38,636 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, this book was written specifically for that. The 432 00:22:38,636 --> 00:22:42,876 Speaker 2: biggest win and that it just helps really sports fans 433 00:22:42,955 --> 00:22:47,556 Speaker 2: or athletes of any age, any level, any sport learn 434 00:22:47,755 --> 00:22:51,035 Speaker 2: how to glorify God through sports and use your sport 435 00:22:51,275 --> 00:22:54,396 Speaker 2: to grow as a believer. But I think one of 436 00:22:54,436 --> 00:22:58,916 Speaker 2: the biggest things, Arlene, is identity. Where are we placing 437 00:22:58,916 --> 00:23:03,955 Speaker 2: our identity? It's so easy, especially in America in a 438 00:23:04,076 --> 00:23:07,955 Speaker 2: very self centered, you know society. We can put our 439 00:23:07,995 --> 00:23:12,116 Speaker 2: identity in our work, in you know, all sorts of things. 440 00:23:12,116 --> 00:23:15,916 Speaker 2: And for kids who like sports, I'm a baseball player, 441 00:23:16,116 --> 00:23:18,595 Speaker 2: I'm a football player, I'm a soccer player, I'm a swimmer, 442 00:23:18,636 --> 00:23:23,036 Speaker 2: whatever that is. And so I would encourage parents to say, 443 00:23:23,076 --> 00:23:27,836 Speaker 2: help your kids, you know, work through that to if 444 00:23:27,876 --> 00:23:29,636 Speaker 2: somebody asks them what do you do or who are you? 445 00:23:30,035 --> 00:23:34,035 Speaker 2: Rather than saying I'm a swimmer, I'm a follower of 446 00:23:34,156 --> 00:23:35,916 Speaker 2: Jesus and I like to swimmer or something like that. 447 00:23:36,076 --> 00:23:38,955 Speaker 2: Or it's just that readjustment of our mindset that our 448 00:23:38,995 --> 00:23:42,795 Speaker 2: identity is not in what we do, it's in who 449 00:23:42,876 --> 00:23:45,796 Speaker 2: we love, who we serve, and hopefully that's that's Jesus. 450 00:23:45,836 --> 00:23:49,116 Speaker 2: And then out of that we can use our sports 451 00:23:49,636 --> 00:23:52,835 Speaker 2: or whatever we're doing to glorify him, right one Corinthians 452 00:23:52,836 --> 00:23:55,396 Speaker 2: ten thirty one. Whether you eat or drink or whatever 453 00:23:55,436 --> 00:23:59,275 Speaker 2: you do, including sports, use it all to the glory 454 00:23:59,316 --> 00:23:59,676 Speaker 2: of God. 455 00:24:00,156 --> 00:24:03,836 Speaker 1: Yeah, so this is sports being a sports showing sportsmanship. 456 00:24:04,396 --> 00:24:07,876 Speaker 1: This is maybe also saying things, how do you being 457 00:24:07,876 --> 00:24:10,555 Speaker 1: with fellowship of Christian athletes, you know, how do you 458 00:24:10,676 --> 00:24:14,676 Speaker 1: coach your young person, your child to be a little 459 00:24:14,715 --> 00:24:16,636 Speaker 1: bit more bold, let's say, with their faith. Like I 460 00:24:16,715 --> 00:24:18,876 Speaker 1: think we understand the part like act like a Christian, 461 00:24:19,156 --> 00:24:21,196 Speaker 1: you know, go out there and act like a Christian, 462 00:24:21,755 --> 00:24:25,916 Speaker 1: but maybe it's hard for kids to also profess, right, 463 00:24:26,035 --> 00:24:30,355 Speaker 1: like say something, how what encouragement would you give about that? Yeah? 464 00:24:30,995 --> 00:24:33,996 Speaker 2: Yeah, I do think there's so many conversations in sports 465 00:24:34,035 --> 00:24:36,955 Speaker 2: that can happen as people see a difference in you, 466 00:24:37,035 --> 00:24:41,036 Speaker 2: see how you're acting responding, they may ask or they 467 00:24:41,035 --> 00:24:43,556 Speaker 2: may not. But that's an opportunity for you to say, well, 468 00:24:43,636 --> 00:24:46,475 Speaker 2: I think about it differently because sports is not the 469 00:24:46,596 --> 00:24:48,995 Speaker 2: end all be al to me. There's something greater in that. 470 00:24:49,235 --> 00:24:53,076 Speaker 2: I love sports, but yeah, this is not the end 471 00:24:53,076 --> 00:24:57,636 Speaker 2: goal for me. But you know, to get out there 472 00:24:57,676 --> 00:25:00,876 Speaker 2: and publicly profess, that's harder for all of us, right, 473 00:25:01,436 --> 00:25:04,555 Speaker 2: But I think you know, it can be done in 474 00:25:04,556 --> 00:25:07,196 Speaker 2: a number of ways in sports. A lot of there's 475 00:25:07,235 --> 00:25:10,316 Speaker 2: a lot of momentum right now that we're seeing from 476 00:25:10,356 --> 00:25:13,236 Speaker 2: the pros all the way on down for instance, of 477 00:25:13,436 --> 00:25:17,916 Speaker 2: like prayer huddles after games. I mean, that's a that's 478 00:25:17,955 --> 00:25:21,836 Speaker 2: a pretty bold move for a kid to publicly proclaim 479 00:25:21,916 --> 00:25:24,436 Speaker 2: that I believe in a higher power. I believe in 480 00:25:24,436 --> 00:25:26,116 Speaker 2: a God that I'm going to talk to right now 481 00:25:26,156 --> 00:25:28,795 Speaker 2: and thank him whether it was win or lose. So 482 00:25:28,955 --> 00:25:32,156 Speaker 2: you could do that, and then you could just have that. 483 00:25:32,196 --> 00:25:34,556 Speaker 2: There's so many sports analogies that you can make. I mean, 484 00:25:34,556 --> 00:25:37,875 Speaker 2: even Paul in The New Testament talks about sports. You know, 485 00:25:38,116 --> 00:25:42,635 Speaker 2: we run to win a greater prize. The reefs and 486 00:25:42,676 --> 00:25:46,676 Speaker 2: the prizes and the laurels of this world they're going 487 00:25:46,715 --> 00:25:52,196 Speaker 2: to perish, but we go for an eternal, eternal glory 488 00:25:51,995 --> 00:25:56,156 Speaker 2: in Jesus. So there's many connections that kids make as 489 00:25:56,196 --> 00:25:59,916 Speaker 2: you as a parent, help them to just share that 490 00:25:59,995 --> 00:26:03,395 Speaker 2: faith and hopefully and win some ways when the opportunities arise. 491 00:26:03,916 --> 00:26:07,515 Speaker 1: Yeah, you talked about earlier not making that college baseball team. 492 00:26:08,035 --> 00:26:10,916 Speaker 1: Help the parent who their child has just not made 493 00:26:10,955 --> 00:26:13,515 Speaker 1: the team. What can they do to kind of help 494 00:26:13,556 --> 00:26:14,115 Speaker 1: them through that? 495 00:26:15,836 --> 00:26:18,676 Speaker 2: Yeah, well that's a great life lesson, right, because life 496 00:26:18,755 --> 00:26:21,035 Speaker 2: is going to be full of disappointments. We don't want 497 00:26:21,076 --> 00:26:25,275 Speaker 2: to burst their small little bubbles, but you know, life 498 00:26:25,316 --> 00:26:28,995 Speaker 2: is hard, and I think that's a great learning opportunity 499 00:26:29,076 --> 00:26:32,275 Speaker 2: to say, we're not always going to get what we want, 500 00:26:32,796 --> 00:26:37,796 Speaker 2: but those failures don't define us. It's how we respond 501 00:26:37,836 --> 00:26:42,316 Speaker 2: to them that defines us more. Right, And so I'm 502 00:26:42,356 --> 00:26:46,835 Speaker 2: thinking of Two Corinthians twelve, where Paul says, I'm going 503 00:26:46,876 --> 00:26:51,356 Speaker 2: to boast in my weaknesses. Like that is so countercultural, right, 504 00:26:51,755 --> 00:26:56,235 Speaker 2: America we hide our weakness, is right, Right, America doesn't 505 00:26:56,235 --> 00:26:59,356 Speaker 2: say boast in your weakness, but the Bible does. And 506 00:26:59,436 --> 00:27:03,715 Speaker 2: so hey, not making the team, many would think that's weakness. 507 00:27:03,715 --> 00:27:07,875 Speaker 2: But if you rebound from that, if you're resilient with that, 508 00:27:08,076 --> 00:27:10,395 Speaker 2: and you say, God, this is tough, but I'm going 509 00:27:10,436 --> 00:27:12,075 Speaker 2: to still trust in you and I know that you 510 00:27:12,556 --> 00:27:15,436 Speaker 2: have a perfect plan for me. All things work together 511 00:27:15,515 --> 00:27:17,315 Speaker 2: for the good of those who love Jesus Romans A 512 00:27:17,396 --> 00:27:20,836 Speaker 2: twenty eight. Then, and that's a huge testimony, And that's 513 00:27:20,836 --> 00:27:23,436 Speaker 2: a huge lesson for a kid that God takes even 514 00:27:23,515 --> 00:27:26,076 Speaker 2: what we think is bad and works it for our 515 00:27:26,156 --> 00:27:29,556 Speaker 2: ultimate good and his glory. And that's an amazing truth 516 00:27:29,596 --> 00:27:31,835 Speaker 2: that they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. 517 00:27:32,356 --> 00:27:35,156 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's so important. That's the win and the loss, Like, Okay, 518 00:27:35,196 --> 00:27:37,916 Speaker 1: you lost, you lost getting on that team, but wow, 519 00:27:37,955 --> 00:27:41,636 Speaker 1: you won something really really important for character. What are 520 00:27:41,676 --> 00:27:45,276 Speaker 1: the warning signs where it's getting too much, like sports 521 00:27:45,356 --> 00:27:48,196 Speaker 1: is becoming too much either time wise or it's becoming 522 00:27:48,196 --> 00:27:49,595 Speaker 1: an idol in our lives. 523 00:27:50,955 --> 00:27:54,555 Speaker 2: Yeah, boy, that's that's that's great. I think it's a 524 00:27:54,596 --> 00:27:57,676 Speaker 2: time thing for sure. I don't want to step on 525 00:27:57,715 --> 00:27:59,835 Speaker 2: too many toes here, But like I know, I know, 526 00:28:00,156 --> 00:28:04,475 Speaker 2: I know. Sunday mornings are a huge youth sports to day, right, 527 00:28:04,556 --> 00:28:07,555 Speaker 2: and there's weekend tournaments as you get onto the travel 528 00:28:07,916 --> 00:28:09,755 Speaker 2: clubs and stuff, And I'm not saying any of that 529 00:28:09,836 --> 00:28:14,155 Speaker 2: is wrong, but we just have to evaluate where our 530 00:28:14,196 --> 00:28:18,275 Speaker 2: priorities are. Are you are you going to church one 531 00:28:18,436 --> 00:28:22,116 Speaker 2: time away and then doing the travel stuff three times 532 00:28:22,116 --> 00:28:26,755 Speaker 2: a week, three times a month, or is it bounced 533 00:28:26,796 --> 00:28:30,036 Speaker 2: the other way? So it's all about priorities. And if 534 00:28:30,035 --> 00:28:32,555 Speaker 2: we are saying that God, you are the king on 535 00:28:32,596 --> 00:28:35,476 Speaker 2: the throne of my heart, You're the Lord of my life, 536 00:28:36,235 --> 00:28:39,596 Speaker 2: but then we spend five minutes a day with him 537 00:28:40,636 --> 00:28:44,836 Speaker 2: talking to him as we commute, is he the king 538 00:28:44,876 --> 00:28:48,076 Speaker 2: of our lives? And if we're doing that as adults, 539 00:28:48,196 --> 00:28:50,836 Speaker 2: are we also translating that to our kids with sports? 540 00:28:50,916 --> 00:28:53,716 Speaker 2: Like are we taking the time to say, yeah, it's 541 00:28:53,756 --> 00:28:57,156 Speaker 2: important to go to this weekend tournament and do well 542 00:28:57,196 --> 00:28:59,916 Speaker 2: and all these things, But what time are we also 543 00:28:59,956 --> 00:29:03,876 Speaker 2: giving to the Lord? So I don't know. 544 00:29:03,836 --> 00:29:05,516 Speaker 1: If there's a right no, it's true, and then you 545 00:29:05,636 --> 00:29:08,716 Speaker 1: fast forward that and you know your kid most likely 546 00:29:08,756 --> 00:29:12,516 Speaker 1: will not be playing soccer or volleyball or baseball or 547 00:29:12,596 --> 00:29:15,516 Speaker 1: whatever throughout their adult life in the same way they 548 00:29:15,516 --> 00:29:17,636 Speaker 1: are as a kid. Not many are going to become 549 00:29:17,716 --> 00:29:21,156 Speaker 1: pro athletes, but they certainly are human beings that could 550 00:29:21,156 --> 00:29:24,036 Speaker 1: go to church every single week of their life, you know, 551 00:29:24,116 --> 00:29:26,876 Speaker 1: growing up. So what's going to stay with them as 552 00:29:26,876 --> 00:29:29,076 Speaker 1: adults as well? I think that's a big thing because 553 00:29:29,076 --> 00:29:33,115 Speaker 1: if you're not in the rhythm of being part of 554 00:29:33,156 --> 00:29:35,396 Speaker 1: the Body of Christ, being part of the church, getting 555 00:29:35,436 --> 00:29:37,116 Speaker 1: in and I don't mean just sitting in a pew 556 00:29:37,196 --> 00:29:41,196 Speaker 1: and listening and leaving. I mean having friends there, serving there, 557 00:29:41,316 --> 00:29:44,276 Speaker 1: having a relationship there, looking forward to it, really getting 558 00:29:44,316 --> 00:29:46,476 Speaker 1: fed there where you see like, wow, my kid is growing, 559 00:29:46,556 --> 00:29:48,996 Speaker 1: my kid is learning about God. My kids getting excited 560 00:29:48,996 --> 00:29:51,036 Speaker 1: about going to church because God's touching their heart. That 561 00:29:51,636 --> 00:29:54,156 Speaker 1: kind of thing that's going to stay with them, you know, 562 00:29:54,236 --> 00:29:56,115 Speaker 1: the rest of their life. And that's that would be 563 00:29:56,156 --> 00:29:59,716 Speaker 1: something really sad to lose because of sports. 564 00:30:00,116 --> 00:30:04,196 Speaker 2: Yeah, Hebrews ten, right, it encourages us to not neglect 565 00:30:04,276 --> 00:30:09,476 Speaker 2: gathering together as believers until Jesus returns and there's you know, 566 00:30:09,556 --> 00:30:11,315 Speaker 2: not again. Like you said, it's not just sitting in 567 00:30:11,316 --> 00:30:13,916 Speaker 2: a pew. It's not just formulaic we're doing this to 568 00:30:13,996 --> 00:30:18,436 Speaker 2: check off a box. Yeah, it's for encouragement and edification 569 00:30:18,716 --> 00:30:21,956 Speaker 2: and not not only you know, receiving, but also giving. 570 00:30:22,916 --> 00:30:25,436 Speaker 2: So that's really important. And the more we model that 571 00:30:25,676 --> 00:30:28,556 Speaker 2: in our own lives as parents, I think our athlete 572 00:30:28,636 --> 00:30:31,836 Speaker 2: kids are going to pick up on that and say, well, yeah, 573 00:30:31,876 --> 00:30:34,676 Speaker 2: mom and dad are letting me play sports, But I 574 00:30:34,796 --> 00:30:37,876 Speaker 2: see that that's not the main priority for us. And 575 00:30:37,916 --> 00:30:40,716 Speaker 2: there's something there's something more in life than just wins 576 00:30:40,716 --> 00:30:42,956 Speaker 2: and losses on an athletic field. Yeah. 577 00:30:42,996 --> 00:30:44,956 Speaker 1: So these are these can be hard questions because when 578 00:30:44,996 --> 00:30:47,075 Speaker 1: you're looking at your schedule and you're already committed, you're like, 579 00:30:47,116 --> 00:30:49,116 Speaker 1: what am I going to do with this? But maybe 580 00:30:49,116 --> 00:30:51,676 Speaker 1: for next year it's something to think about, you know. 581 00:30:51,796 --> 00:30:54,156 Speaker 1: So I'm glad to bring it up and at least 582 00:30:54,196 --> 00:30:57,396 Speaker 1: give it as some food for thought for people as 583 00:30:57,436 --> 00:31:00,396 Speaker 1: we close out. Josh, what are some things that maybe 584 00:31:00,396 --> 00:31:02,676 Speaker 1: we didn't get to touch on, and then tell us 585 00:31:02,796 --> 00:31:04,996 Speaker 1: about how we can find out more about your books. 586 00:31:06,756 --> 00:31:09,476 Speaker 2: Yeah, I just I just want to encourage parents to 587 00:31:09,716 --> 00:31:13,156 Speaker 2: keep doing the good work that they're doing. Again, I've 588 00:31:13,196 --> 00:31:16,516 Speaker 2: got four kids, and it can be exhausting. It it 589 00:31:16,596 --> 00:31:19,716 Speaker 2: is exhausting sometimes with teenagers in a twenty year old 590 00:31:20,836 --> 00:31:23,155 Speaker 2: in a different way than when you have littles, but 591 00:31:23,316 --> 00:31:26,876 Speaker 2: it's still it still can be exhausting, but you are 592 00:31:26,916 --> 00:31:31,476 Speaker 2: doing the good work of the Gospel. My favorite verse 593 00:31:31,556 --> 00:31:35,396 Speaker 2: for working with kids is Psalm seventy eighty four. Tell 594 00:31:35,476 --> 00:31:37,916 Speaker 2: to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord 595 00:31:38,276 --> 00:31:40,835 Speaker 2: and his might and the wonders that he has done. 596 00:31:41,196 --> 00:31:45,916 Speaker 2: And as you, as a Christian parent, tell your kids 597 00:31:45,996 --> 00:31:49,156 Speaker 2: the coming generation the glorious deeds of God. You are 598 00:31:49,156 --> 00:31:53,476 Speaker 2: doing what He's called you to do Deuteronomy six. You know, 599 00:31:53,636 --> 00:31:56,916 Speaker 2: talk about these things by the wayside and in your 600 00:31:56,956 --> 00:32:00,036 Speaker 2: house and along the way, and when you sleep and 601 00:32:00,076 --> 00:32:02,516 Speaker 2: when you rise and all these things. So as you're 602 00:32:02,516 --> 00:32:05,396 Speaker 2: doing these things with your kids, you really are fulfilling 603 00:32:05,436 --> 00:32:10,315 Speaker 2: God's calling, your highest calling as a parent in your life. 604 00:32:10,876 --> 00:32:12,355 Speaker 2: So just keep on keeping on. 605 00:32:13,076 --> 00:32:15,716 Speaker 1: Yeah, so that's the important work. I may feel mundane, 606 00:32:15,876 --> 00:32:19,315 Speaker 1: but it's those everyday moments that really count and keeping 607 00:32:19,476 --> 00:32:22,676 Speaker 1: gospel centered of like, how can we have this moment 608 00:32:22,876 --> 00:32:25,315 Speaker 1: you know mean something and you just keep doing that 609 00:32:25,396 --> 00:32:28,156 Speaker 1: over and over and over again. How can people find 610 00:32:28,156 --> 00:32:29,116 Speaker 1: out more about your book. 611 00:32:29,236 --> 00:32:33,956 Speaker 2: Josh thank you. Yeah, well, my website, my author website 612 00:32:34,036 --> 00:32:39,156 Speaker 2: is joshuacooleyauthor dot com, Joshua Cooley author dot com. My 613 00:32:39,236 --> 00:32:41,395 Speaker 2: full name, Joshua. Like when I got in trouble as 614 00:32:41,396 --> 00:32:42,476 Speaker 2: a kid, Joshua. 615 00:32:42,196 --> 00:32:46,116 Speaker 1: Yeah right, but you're not in trouble writing your book, 616 00:32:46,196 --> 00:32:48,396 Speaker 1: so that's good. And we'll we'll have that link on 617 00:32:48,436 --> 00:32:50,596 Speaker 1: the show notes. And who knows, there might be an 618 00:32:50,636 --> 00:32:54,396 Speaker 1: aspiring writer listening to this podcast who's like, oh, that 619 00:32:54,556 --> 00:32:57,356 Speaker 1: man could edit my book, and you know what, he could, 620 00:32:57,516 --> 00:32:59,916 Speaker 1: so you could look at the website as well. Thanks 621 00:32:59,956 --> 00:33:05,676 Speaker 1: so much, josh Thanks Arlene. I hope you've enjoyed today's conversation. 622 00:33:06,116 --> 00:33:09,276 Speaker 1: I'd love to keep in touch beyond this podcast. Click 623 00:33:09,356 --> 00:33:12,075 Speaker 1: subscribe in the show notes and I will give you 624 00:33:12,116 --> 00:33:14,956 Speaker 1: my latest email to keep up on what's happening with 625 00:33:15,076 --> 00:33:19,315 Speaker 1: technology and kids. And maybe you like reading or listening 626 00:33:19,356 --> 00:33:21,436 Speaker 1: to books. I have a lot of books. You could 627 00:33:21,476 --> 00:33:22,636 Speaker 1: start with The Big. 628 00:33:22,436 --> 00:33:28,236 Speaker 3: Three, Making Marriage Easier, Parents Rising, or Screen Kids. A 629 00:33:28,236 --> 00:33:30,396 Speaker 3: big thank you to the team at Life Audio for 630 00:33:30,476 --> 00:33:34,276 Speaker 3: their partnership with the Happy Home podcast. Check out lifeaudio 631 00:33:34,356 --> 00:33:38,276 Speaker 3: dot com for dozens of other faith related podcasts about prayer, 632 00:33:38,596 --> 00:33:39,716 Speaker 3: Bible study. 633 00:33:39,436 --> 00:33:42,676 Speaker 1: And more. Remember you don't have to come from a 634 00:33:42,756 --> 00:33:46,196 Speaker 1: happy home to create one. You two can have a 635 00:33:46,276 --> 00:33:47,156 Speaker 1: happy homes.